At its Oct. 15 meeting, the Granby Board of Selectmen approved the Board of Education’s request to ask the Board of Finance for an additional $275,000 for an emergency repair to the roof of the high school. In a situation not related to any damage caused during the spring hail storm, the underlying membrane of part of Granby Memorial’s 20-year-old roof is separating and needs to be replaced before the winter weather sets in.
Speaking for the BOE, Mark Fiorentino noted that a new roof for the school was already on its capital improvement list before the disruption in the roof’s integrity was discovered. There is money in the general fund that will cover this. There are some funds (possibly around $19,000) available from the state, but the process of obtaining them will take too long considering that winter is fast approaching. However, much of the $275,000 remains will be returned to the general fund.
The middle school did sustain damage from the hailstorm, but insurance is covering the repair.
Bridge Work
Town Manager John Ward reported that CPPAC (Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee) had asked questions regarding the town’s bridge repair needs. Before approving funding, the committee wanted to know if the work could be done by Granby’s public works department by itself or with the aid of local contractors. After discussions with Public Works Director Kirk Severance, Ward determined that the department does not have the equipment or manpower to undertake this project. Each bridge repair is expected to take a full season and require several workers at a time. It would not be cost effective for the town to take on this burden, plus the expense of obtaining necessary equipment. Depending on the size of the bridge, anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of the cost will be provided by state programs. The Moosehorn, Simsbury Road and Donohue bridges qualify for 80 percent funding; Griffin, Hungary and Enders will receive 50 percent funding.
As with the roof situation, complete funding for the three smaller bridges is available from the state but the town would have to cede all design specifications and work would proceed on the state’s schedule. Ward and Severance determined that the town should go out for bids on its own, selecting multiple contractors so that the jobs can be done simultaneously. Ward will take this decision back to an upcoming CPPAC meeting.
Town Manager Report
Ward was pleased to announce that he, Director of Community Development Abby Kenyon, and Selectman Mark Neumann participated in the ribbon cutting for Granby’s newest restaurant, La Figata, located in the Geissler’s plaza. Ward expressed appreciation to James Chen for bringing yet another fine restaurant experience to our town.
PUBLIC SESSION
Susan Regan spoke again regarding a marketing plan for not only the East Street property, but also the Kearns School. She noted that the recently proposed center by the Kearns School Community Steering Committee would be a non-profit and therefore provide no revenue for the town.
Anna Sogliuzzo inquired as to whether an official policy regarding the use of Roundup had been formed. Ward replied that he and Severance have agreed to minimize, not completely ban, the use of the pesticide. Severance said that they are still studying the situation, noting that the major use of the chemical does not occur until late summer/early fall.
Sogliuzzo also requested that with the expiration of the current contract at East Street, there should be a policy in place that no further Roundup or chemicals like it be used on the town property.
Resignations and Assignments
Victoria Dirienzo resigned as Chairman of the Conservation Commission in order to be appointed to take the place of Richard Van Nostrand on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.
David Desiderato was appointed to Dirienzo’s place on the Conservation Commission.